POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 221, 23 October 1909, Page 1

POLITICAL.

The aggregation of large estates was a subject dealt with by Mv. Hogg in his Address-in-Keply speech. Between 1801 and 1907, he said, over 18,000,000 acres of Crown lands had been settled, and about one-third of that huge area had passed into the hands of fifty-one par sons. In 1801 there were 31 estates of over 50,000 acres, totalling an area of 2,000,000 acres. In 1907 those 31 estates had increased to 88, each of over 50,000 acres, totalling an area of over 838,000 acres. The banking agitation is to be conducted in secret this session. A private meeting of members interested in proposals to amend the law was held recently, wlicn it was determined to make mo communication to the Press. ''We hear a good deal of the cry freehold v. leasehold, but, taking everything into consideration, 1 do not think we have very much to complain of. Our land system is n good one, and it's much appreciated."—The Hon. Marshall. "Every State tenant you create is > v dissatisfied freeholder." Baume. A unore rigorous form of prison discipline is favored by .Mr. W. T. Jennings (Taumarunni). lie told the House an 1 amusing story of a prison camp which had been retailed by a former inmate wbo prior to his incarceration was in a good social position. At the prison camp he found himself ill good company; ill fact, lit; informed ill'. Jennings that the elite of some professions were there. ITe did the cooking, and on one occasion lie was asked by the chief warder if iie could put on a*dinner fit for the Duke and Duchess of York. He replied, "Yea, if you'll give me the ducks and spices,' and they were duly provided. The pri-soner-cook did the ducks to a turn, but the Duke never came, and the prism camp enjoyed , one more luxury. Mr. Jennings expressed a fervent hope that New Zealand prisoners would not 'be seen marching to a football match behind a brass band. "They do that in America,'' commented Mr. C. H. Pools. "It is a disgrace," remarked the Hon. C. M. Luke on Wednesday, "that any coal should bo imported into New Zealand. Why, instead of having 2000 to 3000 workers in the coal industry we should have at least 30,000 coal workers." "It is my opinion that Mr. Justice Sim is the firmest and fairest president that has ever held office in connection with the Court of Arbitration. He goes as far as he can to help the workers, but he never goes so far as to injure an industry."—Remark bv Hon. W. Beehan in the Legislative Council. According to Mr. T. E. Taylor, a majority of the people do not want the unreserved freehold. He is of opinion that the question should be referred io the electors for decision by referendum. "It is my opinion that Sir Joseph Ward has been the most popular man in the world during the past six months." —Hon. F. Trask, of Nelson.